i am looking for a new 8in jointer, probably with a spiral cutterhead, and a bandsaw with a 12in resaw. i have plenty of 240v recepts in the shop, and i will worry about price after find out which is a good machine for a home shop. i only want to replace my craftsman junk once and buy the best i can afford, even if i have to wait awhile for my new toys.

As far as the jointer I would recommend the Hammer 31, this one is my third jointer so far, been working with it for the past couple years and it performs flawlessly. It is a 12” model and the price is comparable to a good quality jointer fitted with a spiral cutterhead.For the bandsaw, if your budget allows, Powermatic’s PM1800 is my choice. I have never had second thoughts about this purchase, it works perfectly, I own a couple 14” Jet and Powermatic bandsaws, this is the first heavy 18” for me and was purchased with a lot of research behind and experience with Powermatic tools.Just my 2cents.

I second the suggestion to look at the reviews on Laguna. I see reviews on their stuff on a LOT of different sites, and the opinion of them is pretty low. Poor quality, and poor customer service, with top shelf pricing. That is a recipe for a going out of business sale…

Grizzly has built their business on good tools, at reasonable prices, backed by good customer service. I have a few Grizzly tools, and am happy with almost everything I got from them. What I am unhappy with isn’t Grizzly’s fault, but rather mine…

I wouldn’t hesitate for a second to buy from Grizzly again, and I am one of those that DID hesitate for a LONG time to go with Grizzly…

Help? I’ve read many good things about Grizzly and am seriously considering one of their jointers. I wish they made a 10” jointer. Yes, I know I can get a combination jointer/planer, but I don’t want to hassle the changes. Anyway it looks like it will be an 8” jointer with a spiral cutter, but which one? I’d like a mobile one, but am concerned it will move while pushing stock. I have a Yorkcraft with the same type of wheel system and it (the wheel system) never worked well. Maybe it doesn’t weigh enough. Don’t know. Anyway, if anyone has any advice on which Grizzly jointer, or even another manufacturer, I’d appreciate your help. Thanks.

Rileysdad… thanks. I’m having a hard time figuring out all of Grizzly’s options. Would you know how the 490 compares to their G0656PX? The 490 is $120 more and it looks like the infeed table is longer, otherwise I don’t get it. Thanks.

I have all grizzly tools 12 all to geather execpt 2, 2 deltals 1 is great and the other would not even make good junk metal. Some of my grizzlys are 16 years old no trobble , would buy every one again. good luck. Chuck

I’ll add my .02cents (USA) and recommend the Grizzly also….they have another group – Polar Bear Series…with white cabinets.. I believe they are a bit cheaper? I have 4 Grizzly tools and I am very happy with their performance….and Grizzly’s customer support….I need a part and it’s there….When I got the planner….the box had been stabbed by something that bent one of the sides of the cabinet. No worries…the new part was there the next day after I called (no referral to the shipper….just support!).

The nightmares I have heard about Laguna are too many to be a fluke….and I know a few folks that have had a nightmare ordering from them. Almost everyone’s tools now a days are assembled in China…(made in many places)...it appears that when Laguna did that…they did not send any of the quality control folks over there….and it sounds like all their customer support folks have lost any motivation to do their jobs….or else they are not given any authority to do anything…A guy I know that bought a Laguna shaper said it was like talking to the IRS…they know nothing…they do nothing – they just want your money.

I have 9 Grizzly tools and like them a lot great machinery for the money! Stay away from Laguna , they are nothing but a tool Broker middle man. You can read my review on this website about laguna called (You don’t get what you paid for). I bought Grizzlys G0586 / 8” x 75” Jointer and love it, it does not have the spiral blades but does what I need. Just purchased Grizzlys top of the line sliding table saw used , don’t have it set up yet but I have confidence in Grizzlys products. I hope this helps!